Nils Erik Lennart Jonsson

Date of Birth

Oct 30,1924

Date of Death

Aug 25,2013

NILS ERIK LENNART JÖNSSON, age 88, of St. Charles and owner of The Gift Box and Cole Travel Agency in Geneva, IL, passed away peacefully at Delnor Hospital, Sunday, August 25, surrounded by the love and prayers of his family and close friends.He was born in Växjö, Småland, Sweden, October 30, 1924, the son of Sven and Ida (Nilsson) Jönsson.Lennart grew up with his family in Gränum, Blekinge, Sweden and after completing his general education, he attended Sigtuna Folkhögskolan for one year. He then worked with the family-owned businesses which included a general store, a bakery and a taxi-service.He served for one and a half years in the Swedish Armed Forces and was on active duty when victory was declared in Europe in June of 1945.Lennart immigrated to the United States in July of 1954 and settled in St. Charles. After working various jobs in the tri-cities, he began working at the Gift Box in 1958. He married, helped raise two children and then in 1984, took over ownership of the business from its original owner. In 1989, he acquired Cole Travel Service, which he ran as well, until the family decided to close the agency in June of 2012.He is survived by his loving children:Maria (Robert Cunningham) Jönsson of Los Alamos, New Mexico andHans (Jill Reipsa) Jönsson of Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. Two sisters:Svea Jönsson of Karlshamn, Sweden and Marianne (Birger) Martinsson of Bunkeflostrand, Sweden.Lennart also had many close friends who were considered part of his larger extended family.He is preceded by his parents and wife, Ingrid and brother in law Albert Karlsson.Following cremation, a memorial service will be planned at a later date. In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established in his name to benefit his favorite charities. Checks may be made to the Lennart Jönsson Memorial and mailed in care of P.O. Box 66, Elburn,IL 60119. Tributes may also be forwarded to the same address or on the web at www.conleycare.com.

A memorial service will be on Sunday, October 13, 2013, at the Geneva Lutheran Church at 12:00 p.m. There will be refreshments served at The Gift Box drirectly following the service.

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